Diamond Blades
Diamond blades are for fast, clean cuts through brick, block, concrete, porcelain and more when standard angle grinder discs just won't last on site.
If you're chasing out walls, trimming slabs or cutting lintels and kerbs, this is the gear you reach for. Good diamond blades stay true, cut cooler and last longer under abuse. If you're also sorting the rest of your Power Tool Accessories or checking other Angle Grinder Discs & Accessories, match the blade to the material and the grinder size, then get the right one ordered.
What Are Diamond Blades Used For?
- Cutting brick, block and concrete on first fix and refurb jobs where a standard abrasive disc would disappear too quickly and leave a rougher finish.
- Trimming paving, kerbs and slabs on landscaping and groundwork jobs where you need a blade that keeps its line without wandering through dense material.
- Chasing out walls for conduit, pipe runs and back boxes when sparkies and plumbers need fast masonry cutting accessories that can take repeated site use.
- Working through porcelain, tile and hard stone on bathroom, kitchen and fit-out jobs where a cleaner edge means less breakout and less snagging after.
- Handling tougher cutting work as part of your wider angle grinder accessories kit when the job calls for durability over the short life of basic angle grinder discs.
Choosing the Right Diamond Blades
Sorting the right one is simple. Match the blade to the material first, then the grinder and the finish you need.
1. Match the Material Properly
If you're cutting brick, block, concrete or stone, buy a blade built for masonry cutting accessories use. If you're on tile or porcelain, go for a blade aimed at cleaner finishes. Don't assume one blade will do every job well, because that is how you end up with slow cuts, chipped edges and a blade worn out before lunch.
2. Pick the Right Rim Style
Segmented blades are the usual shout for faster, rougher site cutting through brick and concrete. Continuous rim blades are better when you need a tidier edge on tile and stone. If the finish matters, don't grab the fastest blade and hope for the best.
3. Get the Diameter and Bore Right
Check your grinder size before you buy. A 115mm grinder needs the right diameter blade, and the bore has to suit the machine properly. Wrong size means wasted time, poor performance or a blade you cannot safely fit in the first place.
4. Think About How Hard You'll Use It
If it's just the odd cut, a basic blade may do. If you're cutting all day on site, spend on a blade that holds depth and stays straight under heat. Cheap blades can look fine in the packet, then glaze over or slow right down once they hit dense concrete.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Brickies and groundworkers use diamond blades for cutting blocks, coping stones, kerbs and slabs, especially when they need repeat cuts that stay accurate through the day.
- Sparkies reach for them when chasing walls and opening up masonry for boxes and conduit, because they hold up better than cheap discs on dusty first fix work.
- Plumbers and heating engineers keep one handy for cutting channels through brick and block for pipe runs, particularly on refurbs where neat access saves making good later.
- Tilers, kitchen fitters and bathroom installers use the right diamond blades for porcelain, ceramic and stone, where a cleaner cut edge matters more than brute speed.
- General builders and maintenance teams carry them as part of their angle grinder accessories so they can move from masonry cutting to other jobs without heading back to the van.
The Basics: Understanding Diamond Blades
Diamond blades do not cut like toothed saw blades. They grind their way through hard materials using diamond grit on the rim, so the right blade choice makes a big difference to speed, finish and blade life.
1. The Rim Does the Work
The cutting edge is the diamond rim around the outside. That rim abrades brick, concrete, tile or stone as the grinder spins. On site, that means a proper diamond blade will keep working on materials that would chew through ordinary cutting discs far too fast.
2. Different Rims Suit Different Jobs
Segmented rims are built to clear dust and cut quickly in heavier masonry work. Continuous rims are better when you want a neater finish with less chipping. The right rim style saves making good and stops you fighting the cut.
3. Size Affects Depth and Control
Blade diameter affects how deep you can cut and which grinder it fits. Smaller blades are common on one hand grinders for general site cutting. Larger blades suit deeper cuts, but only if your machine is rated for them. Always match the blade to the tool, not the other way round.
Diamond Blade Accessories That Save Time on Site
A few sensible extras keep your grinder working properly and stop simple cutting jobs turning into a faff.
1. Spare Flanges and Lock Nuts
If the flange is worn, bent or missing, the blade will not sit right and the cut will wander. Keeping spares in the van saves you borrowing bits off another grinder just to finish a few cuts.
2. Dust Extraction Guards
Get one for chasing and repeated indoor cutting. You will be glad of it when you're not filling a finished room with masonry dust or spending the last hour of the job cleaning up.
3. Blade Storage Cases
Loose blades rattling around in the van pick up damage, dirt and knocks that shorten life. A proper case keeps rims protected and stops you fitting a chipped blade by mistake.
4. Backup General Use Discs
It pays to carry separate Cutting Discs, Grinding Discs and Flap Discs so you're not trying to force one setup through every job on site.
Choose the Right Diamond Blades for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right blade before you start cutting.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting brick and block for first fix | Segmented diamond blade | Fast dust clearing cut, good life in masonry, suited to regular site abuse |
| Trimming slabs, kerbs and paving | General masonry diamond blade | Stable cut through dense material, decent depth retention, works well on outdoor groundwork jobs |
| Cutting porcelain, tile and stone neatly | Continuous rim diamond blade | Cleaner edge, less chipping, better for finish work where the cut stays visible |
| Repeated wall chasing and heavy refurb work | Heavy use diamond blade | Built to cope with heat, repeated cuts and tougher concrete or block without slowing too quickly |
| Small grinder work in tight spaces | 115mm or 125mm diamond blade | Matches common angle grinder sizes, easier control, suited to quick cuts and indoor access |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying on price alone usually means a blade that slows down fast or wears unevenly. If you're cutting regularly, spend for the material and workload, not just the cheapest disc on the page.
- Using a masonry blade for finish tile work is a classic mistake. It may cut, but the edge can chip badly, leaving you with extra snagging and wasted material.
- Ignoring blade size and bore fit is asking for trouble. Always check the grinder rating and fitment properly or you can end up with poor cutting, unsafe setup or a blade you cannot use.
- Forcing the grinder through the cut overheats the blade and shortens its life. Let the blade work at its own pace and keep the cut straight instead of leaning on it.
- Sticking with the same disc for cutting, grinding and finishing wastes time and ruins results. Keep the right angle grinder accessories in the van for each stage of the job.
Segmented vs Continuous Rim vs Abrasive Cutting Discs
Segmented Diamond Blades
Best for fast site cutting through brick, block, concrete and general masonry. They clear dust well and cope with rougher work, but they are not the first pick where you need the cleanest visible edge.
Continuous Rim Diamond Blades
Better for tile, porcelain and stone where a neater finish matters. They cut cleaner with less chipping, but they are usually slower than segmented blades on heavy rough masonry work.
Abrasive Cutting Discs
Fine for some quick cuts and general metal cutting accessories use, but they wear away much faster in hard masonry. If you're regularly on brick, concrete or slabs, diamond blades are the more sensible buy.
Which Should You Buy?
For hard masonry and repeated site work, go diamond. For cleaner tile cuts, pick continuous rim. For lighter metal work or short-term use, standard cutting discs still have a place, but they are not a replacement for the right diamond blade.
Maintenance and Care
Clean Off Dust After Use
Brush off built up masonry dust before the blade goes back in the van. Packed dust hides wear, clogs storage and makes it harder to spot damage before the next job.
Check the Rim Before Every Job
Look for chipped segments, uneven wear or signs the blade has been overheated. If the rim is damaged or the blade no longer runs true, replace it rather than trying to squeeze one more job out of it.
Store Them Flat and Protected
Do not leave diamond blades loose under other kit in the van. Keep them flat in a dry case or rack so the rim stays protected and the blade does not get knocked out of shape.
Do Not Overheat Them
If the cut slows right down, back off and let the blade clear. Forcing it creates heat, shortens blade life and can glaze the cutting edge, especially in dense concrete and stone.
Replace Worn Mounting Parts
A good blade will still cut badly if the flange or locking nut is worn. Keep the grinder hardware in decent order so the blade sits properly and tracks straight.
Why Shop for Diamond Blades at ITS?
Whether you need a single replacement blade for an angle grinder or a tougher option for regular masonry cutting, we've got the range covered. We stock diamond blades, angle grinder discs and the wider angle grinder accessories range in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery across the UK.
Diamond Blades FAQs
What are diamond blades used for?
Diamond blades are used for cutting hard materials that standard angle grinder discs struggle with, including brick, block, concrete, stone, tile and porcelain. On site, they are the usual choice for chasing walls, trimming slabs, cutting kerbs and making cleaner cuts in dense masonry.
How do I choose the right diamond blades?
Start with the material, not the price. Pick a blade suited to masonry, stone or tile first, then check the rim style, blade diameter and bore size match your grinder. If you're doing rough daily cutting, buy for durability. If the finish matters, buy for a cleaner cut edge.
Which diamond blades are best for metal or masonry?
For masonry, brick, block and concrete, proper masonry diamond blades are the right tool. For metal, do not assume a masonry diamond blade will do the job properly. In most cases, dedicated metal cutting accessories or cutting discs are the better and safer choice unless the blade is specifically rated for metal.
How do I choose the right size diamond blades?
Check the grinder's rated blade diameter and bore size before buying. Common grinder sizes like 115mm and 125mm need matching blades, and larger machines need larger blades. If the size is wrong, the blade will not fit properly or cut safely, so always match it to the tool spec.
Can I buy diamond blades online from ITS?
Yes. You can buy diamond blades online from ITS with the key sizes and types in stock for site work, refurb jobs and general trade use. That means less time hunting round merchants and a better chance of getting the right blade on site for tomorrow.
